You loved the blurb. First page sounded interesting. You bought the book. What makes you throw the book you're reading against the wall, stomp on it and go find another?This has happened to me a few times, usually with series books. I would love the previous books, then I'd excitedly get a copy of the new one. I'd sit in happy anticipation of an engrossing read...only to find that the muse apparently has deserted the author. Either that or a contractual obligation made her/him write "one more" to fulfill an agreement. And this one is devoid of any of the elements that made me love the other ones so much.--Where there was romantic tension before, now it's just boring because the author doesn't know how to keep tension and excitement ramped up once the deed has been done and you know who the heroine will be boinking. Side plots with other characters never make up for it.--Or the heroine has discovered the bliss of being with multiple men at one time, and the bed is getting crowded with guys having to take numbers, like in a deli, waiting for an opening (ahem.) --Or it's just become too unbelievable that every man ever born thinks the heroine is the hottest thing he's ever seen, and no one can get enough of her magic vagina.Stand-alones might suffer from the following which demand such a suspension of disbelief that I find myself yelling out loud:--The hero has a tool that solves every possible problem the heroine could have, once she gets a ride on that magic cock.--Speaking of tools, the hero has one so large that it defies imagination. Yet the heroine enjoys it every which way...without lube, even though she was a virgin before him. Yeah...right.Obviously I read romance, as well as write it! I try not to read in the same genre that I write (contemporary). But I love me a good paranormal romance, some blood-suckers, some shifters, and even alien lovers. But you can keep the tentacles...and I read a horror short story recently that ensures I'll never look at zucchini or other plant protuberances with even speculative curiosity ever again! If you're interested:http://ohgetagrip.blogspot.com/2014/04/roots.htmlAnd of course, badly-written prose always makes me toss a book aside. I can stand a few typos--hell, I've found them in books, newspapers, etc. But when they're so pervasive they distract me from the story, forget it!So how about you? What kinds of things throw you off when you're reading a book you've looked forward to?To see what the other authors think, head for the next blog:Margaret Fieland: http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/

Great post. I find that some mainstream authors sometimes go overboard to meet word requirements, filling in content with unnecessary or redundant information. I like everything to propel the story forward, but I'm still processing the rules that really affect the outcome. Some are just personal editorial preferences, I've found. I am learning to steer clear of things that really don't make sense at all. Enjoyed your share.

Yes, I know what you mean by excess verbiage. I know more than I ever wanted to know about the flowers that bloom in New Orleans at different times of the year, and how they smell, etc. But really, I could have done without that and more of the vampire shenanigans and plot!

Authors these days have so much competition in the marketplace--please, please don't be in a hurry to get that book published. Writing is a craft, something that is learned and practiced and honed. I wrote my first novel 18 years ago and I'm SO glad it was not published. I've learned so much during those years.

I'm not sure if it's being in a hurry, or just not knowing the rules of grammar, that leads to so many books being published these days with egregious errors that cause physical pain to those of us who know and love the English language! And no matter how much you know, you can always learn more!

Ah, Rhobin, you must have read some of the same books then?! Reading romance may be a guilty pleasure for most of us, but when badly-written prose, or poorly-crafted characters ruin it, the fun drains out of it very quickly. What was meant to be relaxing just become tiring and yet another irritation added to my day!

Thanks Marci, though I can't claim credit for those designations. I'm on way too many blog loops, most of which deal with the romance genre, and those are used by some to describe certain tropes, just like the "secret baby" trope, or the TSTL heroine (too stupid to live). Choose your tropes wisely and write an interesting story with believable characters...is that really too much to ask?

I read Romantic Suspense, mystery and thrillers, so plot and characters are important. Bad love scenes, I usually skip over, but I must admit, if the plot is based around nothing but sex scenes (bad sex scenes) - another book hits the wall.,

Yes, Beverly, I agree with you! Sex scenes can be the best part of a story...if they're done well. And no, even erotic romance isn't written "just" to be a 1-handed read. There is supposed to be a story that draws you in and makes you CARE why "tab ! fits into slot B" so well!

This has happened to me a few times, usually with series books. I would love the previous books, then I'd excitedly get a copy of the new one. I'd sit in happy anticipation of an engrossing read...only to find that the muse apparently has deserted the author. Either that or a contractual obligation made her/him write "one more" to fulfill an agreement. And this one is devoid of any of the elements that made me love the other ones so much. So true. I do so look forward to series novels of all genres. When the book falls short, a black cloud penetrates my cheerful personality for several days.

Too true, Connie, too true. I think that's because the series becomes something you look forward to, actively, as opposed to a stand-alone book where you know you're taking your chances. With a series you've become invested in, you feel betrayed when the next book is such a dud. Hopefully I've been ending my series' at the right point...when readers are asking for more, not less!

Glad to give you a chuckle, Geeta. I also think poorly-written prose and stilted characters can almost be enough to make me want to forswear the genre forever! Until the next cover that catches my eye, and I discover a new hot, sexy, and totally delicious book boyfriend!

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